Hydrostatic pressure testing apparatus



.C- C. SHERER ET AL HYDROSTATIC iRESSURE TESTING APPARATUS Dec. 5,, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 mad ma 11., 1.945

CHESTER C. SHERER JAMES M. KOONTZ AND RAYMOND H. HOEFLER INVENTORS BY l M THE/R ATTORNEY Dec 5, 1956 c. c; SHERER ETAL 2,532,954

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE TESTING APPARATUS Filed May 11, 1945 4 She'ts-Sheet 2 CHESTER G- SHERER JAMES M. KOON'TZ AND RAYMOND H. HOEFLER INVENTORS MLMLW THE/R ATTORNEY Dec; 5, 1950 c.'. s RgR T 2,532,954

mnaos'mxc PRESSURE TESTING APPARATUS {sums-Sheet 3 Filed llay ll, 1 945 CHESTER 0. SHERER RAYMOND H. HOEFLER IN VE' N TORS 771671? ATTORNEY JAMES M. KOONTZ AND Dec. 5', 1950 c. C. SHERER ETAL 2,532,954

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE TESTING APPARATUS FiledMay 11, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6

'4 I34 I46 I 72/ AIR SUPPLY CHESTER G. SHERER JAMES M. KOONTZ AND RAYMOND H. HOEFLER INVENTORS BYMM THE IR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES rtur OFFICE HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE TESTING APPARAJIYUS GhesterC. Sherer, James M. Koontz, andiRaymond.H...Hcefier, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The National Cash. RegisterCompany; Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application May-11, 1945, SeriaLNo. 593,170

13 Claims.

The? present invention relates to apparatus for pressure-testing the side wall structureof hollow articles.=

' One. object of the presentinvention is the pro- ;vision: ofan apparatus for testing the strength'of the sidewalls of hollow articles.

.-Anotherobj ect-is :to provide hydrostatic means for pressure-testing-the strength ofthe. side wall structure of I hollowcylindrical; articles open at both ends;

A- further. object is to provide a method for testing the. strengthrof theside wall structure of hollow; articles by filling thezarticlesltoibe tested withaan incompressible liquid-sealing the, articles against "leakage, and thenapplying. pressure to .the liquid inithe articles soias to simultaneously apply equal pressureeto:theientiressideiwall structure thereof Withithesc and'incidental: obj ects-in view, the

invention includescertain' novel features of constructionandcombinationsof parts, the essen 'tialielements ofwhichare setv forth, in appended claims andza .preferred- .form' orembodiment of which is-hereinafterdescribediwithi reference to the drawings which accompany and: form apart of this specification.

Inthe; drawings:

Fig. l-is perspective viewv of the complete testing machine;

Fig. 2- is a detail view; partially-sectioned, showingthe-manually operable wedge mechanism and -a.controlswitchoperated thereby.

Fig. 3 .is. anenlarged-sectional :view. of the central onreservoir portionof thetesting machine,

showing in particular the manner oft sealing the .cylindricalarticles tobetested against leakage.

.li'igniis. a fragmentaryperspective view of the centralzportionof the machine showing in particular,,the-article-submerging mechanismzin ela vatedtposition.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the central portion of the machine, simiiar to-Fig. 4, showing in particular the articleesubmerging mechanism in :snbmerging; position;

6; is a wiringrdiagram ofthe electrical portion of the testinginachine, including the handand relay-operated switches and the solenoidactuated valves controlled thereby.

ig. '7 is a diagram showing the conduits for compressed air and the various manually-open ated and electrically operated valves associated. therewith .for controlling the flowv of the compressed air to the .machine-operating .rnechanisms.

Description 'Thezprescntinvention is directed to an apparatus.or.:.machine:foritesting the strength of the side wall structure of hollow articles, saidarticles in this" particular case being cylindrical or tubular in. shapeandi open at both ends.

Asipresently"constructed, the testing machine OfLthGT-QIGSBIlt. invention has aclosure or'cap for closing. and sealing each end of the cylindrical articles torbetested; Therhead: cap is rockable from an elevated or article-receivingand -rernov- ;ihg*position to operating positionaand vice versa, inwhichpformer position" one-end of the article 5 -to: b.e: tested-.may be: convenientlyinserted thereto operating position andyin' so rocking, sub- ;merges the cylindrical article in a liquid contained inaitanlcor reservoir portion of the machine and 'alines said article with a tail cap or closure portion o'ftthe machine. During submerging 1 of the cylindrical article, its" open end permits theiinteriorof': said article to befilled with said liquid. .After'thehead cap and the cylindrical article have come to rest in a substantially horizontaLorr-operating position, an electrical switch lislmanipulatedibythe: operator, which causes a solenoid=operatedair valve to be actuated, which, through an air cylinder and piston mechanism, shifts the tailcap portion .of the machine horizontally to:move said cap over'the other open end 45 0f-the cylindricalarticle toseal the hollow interiorcfisaidarticle against the lea rage'cf liquid.

After-'the-cylindricalarticle has been sealed 1 against leakage, the operator-manipulates a secondielectric switch tocause a secondsolenoidso operated air valve'to be. actuated, said air valve in turn-contro ling the flow of air to a second-cylinder andpiston arrangement, causing it to force ,aplunger'througha central herein the head can and into thehollow interior of the cylindrical in, article to apply, pressure tothe liquid, contained therein to create the required pressure to test the strength of the side wall structure of said article.

After the proper degree of pressure has been obtained in the interior of the cylindrical article, a pressure-operated switch mechanism functions to cause the second solenoid valve mechanism to be operated again to reverse the action of the pressure plunger to cause it to be withdrawn from the interior of the cylindrical article and from the central bore in the head cap por- 1 tion of the machine. After the plunger has been fully withdrawn, the operator again manipulates the first electric switch to cause the first solenoidactuated air valve to be operated again tocause the tail closure or cap to be withdrawn from the cylindrical article. After the tail cap has been withdrawn from the article, the operator again manipulates the air valve to cause the head cap portion of the machine to be moved from operating position to article-receiving and -removing 5:

position, after which the clamp for securing the article in the head cap is released and said article is removed from the head cap portion of the machine.

A pressure-indicating gauge connecting with the hollow interior portion of the cylindrical article being tested is located within convenient observing position of the operator and continuously indicates the pressure of the liquid within said article to instantly reveal any defects in its side wall structure.

The portion of the mechanism described in general above which is pertinent to an understanding of the present invention will now be described in detail with references to the appended drawings, throughout the various views of which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Directing attention to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the machine of the present invention comprises a main body portion 39 formed of channel-shaped side members 3| and 32 and similarly-shaped end members 33 and 34, which secure said side members in spaced relationship to each other, said body portion being supported by four legs 35, which rest on a suitable support or base.

A reservoir 29, holding a suitable viscous liquid, such as a light grade of machine oil, in which the articles being tested are submerged, is formed by the side members 3! and 32 in cooperation with channel-shaped cross members 35 and 3'! secured therebetween and by a sump pan 38, shown best in Figs. 1 and 3 and having a leakproof connection with the side members 3| and 32 and the cross members 35 and 31. The entrance to the reservoir 29 is formed by a flared flange 39 likewise having a leak-proof connection with the side members 3! and 32 and the cross members 35 and 3'1.

Secured respectively to the inside surfaces of the cross members 35 and 3! (Fig. 3) are reinforcing plates 49 and ii, said plate 49 having secured thereto a hinge block having a bore which rotatably supports a hinge pin 42 secured in a bore in a head cap 43. The head cap 43 has a large shallow bore 44, arranged to receive one end of a cylindrical article 45, having comparatively thin side walls, the strength of which is to be tested in the present machine. The diameter of the bore 44 is substantially larger than the external diameter of the cylindrical article 45 to provide ample room for a sealing washer 4t, formed of any suitable material, such as leather or synthetic rubber, and constructed to yieldingly engage the periphery of said article 45 to form a leak-proof seal for its left-hand end. The

right-angled flange of the sealing washer 46 (Fig. 3) fits snugly in a counterbore in the head cap 43 and is secured in said counterbore by a ring 41, in turn secured to said head cap 43 by a plurality of spaced bolts 48. The interior circumference of the ring 47 is large enough to provide ample clearance for the external circumference of the cylindrical article 45.

Secured to a downward surface of the head cap l3 (Figs. 3 and 4) is a plate 49, having secured on its top surface, in spaced relationship to each other, guide segments 5! and 52 having similar arcuate guide surfaces 53, which are in alinement with each other and in alinement with the bore 44 in said head cap 43 for the purpose of guiding the articles 45 into said bore 44. The rigidity of the plate 49 is substantially increased by a tapered reinforcing rib 59 depending from its lower surface (Fig. 3) and extending approximately the full length of said plate 49.

Secured to the upper surface of the plate 49 (Figs. 1 and 3) is a block 54 having a slot arranged to receive the lower end of a hook-shaped clamp member 55 carrying a convenient hand piece 56 for its manipulation, said member 55 being pivoted on a pin carried by said block 54. Secured to the upper end of the clamp member 55 is a clamping block 51, formed of suitable plastic material, which, when the clamp member 55 is moved to effective position, frictionally engages the upper portion of the periphery of the article 45, as shown in Fig. 3, to secure said article against the arcuate surfaces 53. An extending stop surface 58 (Fig. 4), formed on the interior of the clamp member 55, engages the periphery of the article 45 to terminate the clamping movement of said clamp member 55.

The hinge pin 42, which is free in the portion of the hinge secured to the plate 48 and is secured in the head cap 43, has secured on one of its ends a crank 6E; (Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive) pivotally connected by a link 6| to a clevis 62 secured to one end of a piston rod 63, the other end of which is connected to a piston (not shown) operating in a cylinder 64 secured to an angle bracket 55 (Fig. 3) in turn secured to the side member 32. Opposite ends of the cylinder 64 are connected by corresponding conduits or pipes 56 and 61 (Figs. 1 and '7) toa control valve 68 secured to the side member 3 I. A pipe 59 connects the control valve 68 to a supply pipe H! connected with any convenient and suitable type of compressed air source for sup-plying the required compressed air to the cylinder 64 to operate the piston contained therein and the rod 63. Likewise, the valve 68 (Figs. 1 and 7) is connected to an exhaust pipe ll in turn connected by a pipe 12 to an exhaust mufller or silencer 13 secured to the side members 3i and 32 by suitable straps. The valve 88 is provided with a suitable handle 14 for its operation.

When the machine is at rest, the valve 58 is so positioned that the pipe 6! is connected to the air supply pipe in, which forces the piston of the cylinder 64 to the left, as viewed here, which, through the rod 53, the link 5|, and the crank 6g, maintains the head cap 43 in its elevated or article-receiving and -removin position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, so that the cylindrical articles 45 may be easily and readily removed from and inserted into the bore in said head.

With the head cap 43 in article-receiving position, one end of one of the cylindrical articles 45 may be guided into the bore 44 by the arcuate guide surfaces 53 on the segments 5| and 52 and assaosc taneously connects the pipe 82, leading to the left-hand end of said cylinder 8!, to the exhaust pipe 85, which, through the muffler l3, is in turn connected to atmosphere. The admission of air under pressure to the right-hand end of the cylinder SI (Figs. 1, 6, and '7) drives the piston, the rod l'fi, and the tail cap I? toward the left to move the clearance boring E5 in said tail cap I? over the right-hand end of the article 45, and this movement continues until the bottom of said boring I6 contacts the right-hand edge of said article 45. As the tail cap a? moves over the right-hand end of the article a sealing washer I25, similar in every respect to the washer in the head cap 43 and secured in a counterbore in said tail cap I! by a ring 222 and a plurality of spaced bolts I22, engages the periphery of the right-hand end of said article 45 to seal its interior against the leakage of the liquid contained therein. After the tail cap I! has moved full distance toward the left, as shown in Fig. 3, the operator completes the move rent of the lever I 38 to insert the "wedge blocks Ilfl between the plate M and between the wedges II! to secure said cap 'i'l against move ment toward the right when pressure is applied to the liquid sealed within the article 45, as will be explained presently.

Secured on opposite sides of the tail cap l? (Figs. 3 and 5) are similar shoes I65 and I 55 cooperating with corresponding rails l6! and I58 secured, respectively, to the inside surfaces of the side members 3I and 32. The shoes I 55 and I66, in cooperation with their respective rails lo! and I63, support the weight of the tail cap 'e'i as it moves back and forth to maintain the bore '56 in accurate alinement with the right-hand end of th article 45 and to overcome any tendency of said tail cap and the piston rod ii! to revolve.

By referring to Fig. 7, it will be noted that the pipe line 83 for the cylinder 8i has therein a control valve I23, and that the pipe line 82 for said cylinder has therein a similar control valve 24, for regulating or metering the flow of air to said cylinder 8 I, so that the tail cap ll will move back and forth at the desired speed.

After the wedge blocks i i 6 (Figs. 1 and 3) have been (properly inserted between the tail cap '2'! and the plate 4!, the operator momentarily depresses a switch button E25 (Figs. 1 and 6), conveniently located on the outside surface of the side member 3 I, to momentarily complete a circuit between the main lead 87 and a lead 525, connected by the switch t8, which is at this time closed, to a lead I27, connecting with one terminal of a relay coil I28, the other terminal of which is connected by the lead 553 to the main lead SI This completes a circuit to the relay coil l 2%, to cause it to simultaneously close switches I23 and i3 3, connected for unitary operation. Closing of the switch I29 connects a lead 53 1, extending from the lead I92, with a lead E32, connecting with one terminal of a solenoid coil I33 for a solenoid-operated valve I34 (Figs. 1 and 7) to complete a circuit between said coil and the main input line Si. The other side of the solenoid coil 33 (Fig. 6) is connected by a lead 35 to a pressure-operated switch i 55, which is normally closed, said switch in turn being connected by a lead E3! to one side of a manuallyoperated switch I38, which is normally closed, as shown here, the other side of said switch I38 in turn being connected by a lead I39 to the main input line 8'1.

The actuation of the switch I25 and the simultaneous functioning of the relay switch I38 form a connection through a lead I40, connecting one terminal of said switch I30 with the lead I35. and a lead MI, connecting the other terminal of said switch I to with the lead I26, which, through the switch 93 and the lead I 21, com-- pletes a holding circuit to the relay coil I28 to retain said coil energized and the switches I29 and H0 closed when the manually-operated switch button I25 is released.

The three-way solenoid-operated valve I34 (Figs. 1 and '7) is connected by a pipe I42 to the right-hand end of a cylinder I43, secured to the end plate 33, and said valve I3 5 is connected by a pipe I44 to the leit-hand end of said cylinder. The valve 534 is also connected by a pipe I45 to an air pressure supply source, and said valve is connected by a pipe I45 to the pipe I2 and thence to the exhaust muffier 13, said mufller being open to atmosphere in the usual manner.

The cylinder l43 has operating therein a piston (not shown), to which is connected the lefthand end of a piston rod or plunger I41, the right-hand end of which passes through a packing gland I48 (Figs. 8 and 7) on the cross member 39, thence through a bushing I49 in the member 3% and the plate 49, the central bore of which bushing alines with a central bore I58 in the head cap 43, which latter bore is concentric with the large bore 44.

Depression of the switch I25 (Figs. 1 and 6), as previously explained, energizes the solenoid coil I33 to operate the valve I34 to cause the pipe I44 (Fig. 7) to be connected to the air supply pipe M5 and simultaneously to cause the pipe M2 to be connected to the exhaust pipe I46. Connecting the pipe 544 to the air supply causes the air under pressure to enter the left-hand end of the cylinder I43 to drive the piston and the plunger I4? (Figs. 3 and 7) through the bushing i493 and the bore I59 and through an opening in a sealing washer I5I secured in a counterbore in the head cap 43 by a ring I52 and a plurality of spaced bolts, thence into the interior of the cylindrical object 45, to displace the liquid in said article to generate pressure to test the strength of its side walls.

Shallow borings 353 in the bottom of the boring 44 in the head cap 43, and similar borings E54 in the bottom of the boring IS in the tail cap ll, connect the hollow interior of the cylindrical article 4-5 with said borings 44 and I6, whereupon right-hand movement of the plunger I4? into the interior of said article 45 displaces the liquid therein to increase its pressure, said pressure being transmitted through the shallow bores or ccuntersinks I53 and I54 to the liquid in the large bores and I6, to cause said liquid, in cooperation with the extremely tapered edges of the sealing washers 46 and IE1, to force said washers into firm contact with the periphery of the cylindrical article 45 to seal its interior against leakage, so that the proper degree of pressure may be generated therein.

As the plunger I4! (Figs. 3 and 7) is gradually forced into the interior of the cylindrical article 45, to the position shown in dct-and-dash lines in Fig. 3, the pressure of the liquid in said article gradually increases, and likewise the pressure in the cylinder M3 gradually builds up or increases, due to the increasing resistance to the right-hand movement or travel of said plunger I47.

When the pressure of the liquid in the interior oi the cylindrical article 45 reaches a predetermined amount, the air pressure in the cylinder 1 4.3 and thepipe .4 ,4 reaches a Proportionate' amount and opens the normally closed pressure switch 136, .Whichis located in,,said pipeline I44 (Figsrdand 7).. This; through the 1ead. I -35.,;t he lead. 1. 10, theswitch 136, the lead at, the lead me, the switches, and the lead I21; breaks theholding. circuit to-the, relay coil [28 to open the switches l29,and.i3 i. Qpening of theeswitches I29 and 130(Fig. 6) breaks the circuit to the 0.011133 for .the.'v a1ve. 34 to again operatesaidvalve, whereupon the pi e 14,4 ,is disconnected (Fig. 7) from the supply pipe hi5. and simultaneously connected to the. exhaust pipe. M6,; and the pipe. M2, is, disconnected from the exhaust pipe 16 and is connectedto the supply pipe Hi5. This reverses the vaction/of the piston in the cylinder 1.43, causing withdr awal .oftheplunger id! toward thelleft iror'n the positionshown in dot and-dashlinesin Fig. 3 to its fullyreturnedposition,.asrshown iniull lines. in Fig. 3.

.hiter theplunger Mlhas been fully returned toward,'the left, the operator grasps .the ha dle l stings. 1 and 2) and retur'ns.th e..lever as upwardly to disengage the wedge blocks i in from between the plate H and the Wedges H l, and full restorationpf said lever I08..u.pwardly. or. clockwise, .to: the position shown; in ,Fig. 2,' restores the switch arm id? also clockwise toopen the switch .95,(Fi s.-.1',.2, and..6)' to break the circuit to thecoil-.132v ofthe relay switch 89{to,open said'switch. Openinglofthe' switch Bfifireaks the crlicuit to thesolen'oid coilfor'the valve a i toHag ainac-tuate.said valve (Fig. '7) to'discon-r nectj the pipe 83.from the .supplyline 1G. and simultaneously connect said pipe to the. exhaust pipe fiiand. to connect the piped to .the'su'pply linefifi. aThis admits the air underjpressu re to the. left-hand end. of the cyl inderf s l @01 force the piston in said-cylinder thegpistonrod l9, and; the tail cap'l'l toward the. right, as viewed inFig. .3, towithdraw the bore in s aid.tail cap from over the right-handendof the cylindrical article :45.

Ajfterthetail cap if! has been fully} restored toward the right, the operator through the handle. .(Eigs.. 1 and. 1) manipulates the valve 68, to reverse the flow of air to the cylinder.,54 to. cause the .piston therein and the piston rdd 53. (Figs. v3, and/,7) to bereturned .towardfthe left." Return movfimcnt'toward the left of th'e piston rod 63, throughthe clevis EZQtheilihk 5L the; crank-.gififand the vpinJiZ, rocks the head an .3,. the plate 4:9,; and the cylindrical article. 4l 5 counter-clockwise, from operating position,.as shown in Fig. 3, to the elevated orjar-ticieremoving and -i ns erting position, as shown in Fig.4. Initial return movement tQWQl'dz-liheleffi of the piston rod 63 and'the clevis fizjca'usesfthe camming surface I95 on said clevis'. (Figs.,.f3; and 6), in cooperationwith thesw'itch pin I04, to open the switch ml, to extinguish; the light Ii! and simultaneously to. breakthe circuit to'the relay switch coil 99, to .openth switches Bland 98. Opening of the switch,9'l renders the switch 85 ineffective in case the lever lllfi 'is inadvertently or unintentionally manipulated. and openin .o th sw tch 88 breaks the-. cu t to he e a c I 8 qp vent'oper t o o t witches 1 29 and Latin case the switch button] I is inadvertently depressed.

l'Aft th headc 43 a d the cylind ica a cle havebeen fully.returnedcounter-clockwise to elevated .position, asshown jmFigs. 1. and

L the -operatpr, through vthe.rne'dium of ethe hen .-5 H isens s he lam .55. remsaid.

article 45 and removes it fromthej hoi e i if in thevhead ,capfifi andplaces said articletemporar- 1131 n d in pan 1 (F .1).hayi 'fsyitable. su rt fzti n L 1 hiq res i the; upper. ed softh side memb s .31. ami st? 1.11 1 i e b the pan -overh ne thefle i s Han upper. edgev ,3 9. of the reservoir 23 and an opening ,in ,said pan permits the liquid frornthe articles.fidltqdrainf into said. reservoir 29.

.Thebore 4s? in. .the head. canfishwi s. 1, 3, {1, and. 5) 'is.' connected by a. Pipe. .0. pressure gauge I5 9, which indicates the 'pressureof the.

iql 'ii Wit in .J h cy indrica e t c e .45 i9 the nie t o fth QQ atQ LSaiQ press r auge. .59, being. suitablyv located for. convenient Qb$er'- v'ation' .loy saidoperator. Likewise a pressure gjaugeJED (Figs. 1 and 7),,located in, thejpipe linef lAA indicates, to the operator the air I pressure, 1 in said i line and" in the cylinder 7 [4.3, fre quired ,to: move the plunger. 1,41 toward. the. right to build upthe required pressure in the oyli'ndrical article. 45. Like. the pressure gauge I 59,the pressure gauge lliliis suitablylocatjed f9r',-,c6nvenie'nt observation by the operator.

As a safety precaution,a safetyjvalve [B l. (Figs. 1 and 7) is'. connected in the pipe line [Hand is set to open automatically at' approximately thegsame 'tirneas the pressure switch I 36 (Figs. 1,f6,f apnd '7) opens, .to prevent.-excessive/pressure from ioeiiig'builtup in; the cylinder i431'and thev cylindrical. article"! 5.. in case said pressure switch l36.iai ls, for 'any -reasonfto open.

The manuallycperable switch- 1.38 (Eigs l and 6;) wh .ien rm v le d. b ned'llby the'operator at any timejand, whenjo ed; per; forms the same function as the 'auto mati opening f the pressure switch,|36.;b,y breakm'gthe l in ci uittdthe' re ay oi 1,28. r' veit e the flow of airto the cylinder lfi3ito cause the plunger I41 tobe withdrawn toward theleftfin case r it. is necessary. or desirable. In". caseftlie, holding circuit is broken by. de,pre'ssionof the Switch, 138 (.Fig. 6), said holding circuit may-he reestablished lby depression of'theswitch I25; after which the mechanism iunictions auto aticaillyfin the m nner explained earlierhe The compressed air *5" 'pplypip'es'lli K911116145 (Figs. 1' and 7) are. provided, respectively, with lidndvalves AGZ- and I63 for} controllinthefiow of-jair from the. supply source through said-pipes. A hand-operated valve. .164 is'pr'o'vide'd an the sump p an 38 for the reservoir" 2 9,[fordraining the liquid. out of saidfres ervoir when: necessary p i es-1 7 3419 t is ummarizingbriefly the f oregoing explanation discloses an. apparatus novel indes ign and unique in operation,'for'testing the'strength or ui side walls r hollowcylindrical .a'if les which are open at both .ends, Isaidfapplaratus .ingiuding mechanism" for suhmer'g'ing the articles in, lid? uid men their interiors with said liq iid',,inechanisin for sealing both ends ofthe. articles against leakage I of the liquidfconta ined' therein; w ld mechanism 1 .for applying 1;pres s1s-e to the" liquid within. the cylindricalartieles 'to generatela pre determined. pressure .to test the' stre'ngth of gt he i e wal structure ;pr :sa 1a..y mdriai articlesede evmtiq is el e e t t i tu ers andineof. the operation of the f nachine of this invention :will ha e bee o t i e .immaeru o h spr edin spe ificati n .1 .9 evc e b ie um, giving the various steps of the operating cycle i ill in proper sequence, now be given.

With the head cap 43 in elevated or articlereceiving and -removing position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the operator takes one of the hollow cylindrical articles 45 and inserts one end thereof in the bore 44 in said head cap 43. After the article 45 is properly inserted in the bore 44, the clamp 55 is moved to effective position to clamp said article against the arcuate surfaces 53 on the guide segments and 52. Next, the operator grasps the handle '34 (Figs. 1 and 7) of the air valve 68 and turns said valve to control the flow of compressed air to the cylinder 64, which in turn rocks the head cap 43 and the article 45 clockwise from the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 4 to a substantially horizontal or operating position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. This movement of the article 45 submerges it beneath the liquid contained in the reservoir 29, and, inasmuch as the righthand end of said article is open, its interior is filled with said liquid. Likewise, this movement of the article 45 alines its right-hand end with the bore I6 in the tail cap Tl.

Near the end of the clockwise movement of the head cap 45, the switch IQI (Figs. 1, 3, and 6) is closed to light the light Ill and to energize the relay coil 99, causing it to close the control switches at and 98, to render the electricallycontrolled portion of the machine efiective, after the article 45 has been properly submerged in the liquid in the reservoir 25. Next, the operator grasps the handle H5 and rocks the lever. I58 counter-clockwise, as observed in Figs. 1 and 2, sufficiently to close the switch 95 (Figs. 1, 2, and 6).

Closing the switch 95 completes a circuit to the relay 00.1 32 to close the switch 89 to energize the coil of the solenoid-actuated valve 84 to operate said valve. Operation of the valve 84 admits compressed air to the cylinder 8| through the pipe 83, which moves the tail cap 11 toward the left from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 3, to seal the right-hand end of the cylindrical article 4, so that the liquid contained therein will not leak out when pressure is applied thereto. After the tail cap IT has completed its left-hand movement to close the right-hand end of the article 45, the operator completes counter-clockwise movement of the lever I53 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) to move the wedge blocks H5 between the plate M and the wedges ill on the cap TI, so that, when the pressure of the liquid within the article 45 is increased, the pressure in the cylinder BI will not be overcome, and said cap TI forced away from the right-hand end of said article.

After the wedge blocks I II? are in position, the operator closes the switch I (Figs. 1 and 6) to complete a circuit to the coil I28 to close the relay switches I29 and I353 to energize the coil I33 of the solenoid-actuated valve I34 and to complete a holding circuit which retains said solenoid I33 energized when the switch I25 is released. Energization of the coil I33 operates the valve I34 to admit compressed air to the lefthand end of the cylinder I43 to cause the plunger I4'I to be moved toward the right (Fig. 3) into the hollow interior of the cylindrical article 45. Movement of the plunger i4? into the interior of the article 45 presses the liquid therein and increases the pressure of said liquid to test the strength of the side wall structure of said article 45.

may be helpful and will As soon as a predetermined pressure is obtained within the cylindrical article 45, the pressure switch I35 (Figs. 1 and 6) operates, in the manner explained earlier herein, to break the holding circuit to the coil I28 to open the switches I29 and I35, which immediately de-energizes the solenoid coil I53 to again actuate the valve I34, which in turn causes the plunger I41 to be withdrawn toward the left out of the interior of said article 45 to the position shown in Fig. 3, to release the pressure on the liquid in the interior of said article 45.

After the plunger I41 has been fully restored toward the left, the operator returns the lever I08 (Figs. 1 and 2) clockwise to remove the wedge blocks H5 from between the tail cap TI and the plate 4!, and to open the switch (Fig. 6) to de-energize the coil 92 to open the switch 89. Opening of the switch 89 de-energizes the solenoid coil for the valve 84 to operate said valve again. Operation of the valve 84 reverses the flow of compressed air to the cylinder 8| to cause the tail cap TI to be returned toward the right, from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 5, to free the right-hand end of the cylindrical article 45.

After the tail cap TI has been fully restored to the right, the operator again manipulates the valve 68 to reverse the flow of compressed air to the cylinder 54 to cause the head cap 43 and the article 45 to be rocked counter-clockwise from operating position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, to elevated or article-inserting and -removing position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, so that said article 45 may be readily removed from the bore 44 in said head cap 43.

During the initial part of the return movement counter-clockwise of the head cap 43, the switch I0! (Figs. 3 and 6) is opened to break the circuit to the coil 99 to open the relay switches 91 and 95 to render the electrical portion of the machine inoperative when said head cap 43 and the article 45 are in their elevated positions. After the cylindrical article 45 and the head cap 43 have been returned to article-receiving and -removing positions, the clamp 55 is disengaged from said article 45, and said article is removed from the bore 44 in the head cap 43 and placed in the drain pan I55 (Fig. 1) to drain the excess liquid therefrom. This leaves the machine in readiness for a repetition of the testing or operating cycle.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment disclosed herein, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described for testing the strength of the side wall structure of hollow cylindrical articles, open at both ends, said device including a reservoir filed with liquid in which the articles are to be submerged, the combination of a supporting framework; a closure movably mounted on said framework and normally in an article-receiving position outside the liquid, said closure being constructed to seal one end of an article against leakage and said closure movable from an article-receiving position outside the liquid into an operating position inside the liquid, to submerge said article in the liquid; a second closure movably mounted on said support in a position in alinement with the s s-eater 1 3 l, otherend'ofsaid article after the artic leis sub merged by movement of the first closure; operating means to move the second closure into en'- gagement with the said other end of the article, after the article has been submerged, and to thereby seal said other end of said article against leakage; a plunger movable through oneclosure and into the submerged article to bear against the liquid sealed in the hollow interior of the cylindrical article to create pressure against a side wall structure thereof, to test the'strength of said side wall structure; and operating means to move theplunger.

2. In' a device of the character'describedior testing'the strength of the side wall structure of hollow cylindrical articles, open at both ends, said devi'ce'including a reservoir filled'with liquid in which said articles are to be submerged, the combination of a supporting framework; a closure movably mounted on said framework and normally in an article-receiving position outside the liquid, said closure being constructed to seal one end of an article against leakage; meansto move the closure from the'article-receiving position outside of the li uidintoan operating position inside the liquid, to 'submergesaid article in the liquid to fill the article with liquid; a second closure'movably mounted on said framework in'a position in alinement with the other end ofsaid article after'the article is submerged bymovem'ent of'the first closure, said second. closure being normally disengaged from said other end of the article; a sealing device on saids'eco-nd closure; operating means to move'these'm and closure into engagement with the said other end after the article has been submerged to thereby seal the said other end thereof against leakage of said liquid; means including a plunger movable 'through'one closure and projecting into and movable within the hollow interior of the article, to bear against the liquid confined therein 'to create equal pressure to test the strength. of the side wall structure of said article; and means supported on the framework to move the plunger.

3.'In an apparatus or the class described'for testing the strength of the side wall structure of a cylindrical'or tubular article having a hollow interior, open at both ends, said apparatus including 'a reservoir filled with liquid, in which said-article is to be submerged, the combination of "means pivotally mounted on one end of the reservoir and movable into a position out of the liquid "to receive one end of the article; sealing means on said means to seal the article thereon; means operatively connected to the first-named meansand operable to submerge the said firstnamed means and the article in the liquid to'iill the-interior of-the article with liquid; means reciprocably mounted in the reservoir'and adapted tdengagetheoppositeend of the'article when thear'ticleis submerged, to seal the said opposite end thereof; means connected to the secondnamed sealing'means whereby the second-named sealing means is actuated; means reciprocably mo-va-blethrough the firstmamed means and into the interiorof said article to bear on the liquid sealed therein to subject the said wall structure thereof to a predetermined pressure to test he strength of said side wall structure; and means to "reciprocate the last-named means.

4. In an apparatus of the class described for testing the strength of the wall structure of an article-having a hollow interior open at both ends, :said apparatus including er-reservoir filled with liquid in which-the article is to 'he--*sub-"- merged, the-combination o'f movable meanspiv otally mounted on one end of thereservOinahd movable into a position outside i the liquidto receive-cne end of the-article; sealingmeans on said movable means to sea-1 the article there'on' means operatively 'co-miected to themovable means and operable to subm'erge' the movable means=andthe-article in the liquid-tmfilrthein terior with said liquid; movable means reciprocably mounted said apparatus and mavens into engagement with-the other endof the article; after the article has been submerged toseal the otherend thereof; means -reciproca;bly movable through themovable means and into the' interior of the-article to'bear on the liquid sealed therein to subject the side wall structure toapredeter mined ressure to test the side wall structure thereof; andmeans effective to exert a predeter mined pressure on the -last-nam edmeans to-mov'e the last-named means anextent suflicien't to raise the-pressure in the interior of the article to a predetermined amount.

5; In an apparatus 'of 'theclass described'fbi testing thestrength oftheside'wall structure of pivotally'mounted-on one end of thereservoir and movable into' a posi-tion outside the-liquid to receive one end-of the article; sealing means on :said movable means to seal "the end "of i the article-thereon; operating means" connected to the "movable meansand operable to submerge the-sealing means and the article in theliquid: to'fillthe interior th'er'e'of with said liquid; 'mov' abie means mounted within the reservoirand' movable into *engagementflvith the otherend' of the article after the "article has been submerged, to-"seal "said -other-end thereof; means reciprecably mounted inthe reservoir and oper atedby air pressure, and movable into the in"- terior o'f-the article to bear 'on the liquid sea-led therein to subject the side wall structure of the reservoir filled withliquid in Which'said article is'tc be submerged, the-ccmbination of means pivotally rnounte'dpn one end of the reservoir and "movable intoapositi'on to rec'eivetoneend of the article; sealing means on said means to sealthe article thereon; operating means'to'm'ove thefirst-named means from an article re'ceivin'g position outsidethe liquid'into an operating'position inside the liquid, and vice verse, to move the sealing means and the article to submerge the article in the liquid to'fillthe hollow'interior thereof with said'liquid; a secondsealing'mean's 'eciprocably mounted in the reservoir and movable into engagement with'the other end of said article to seal said other end'of article'while it is submerged in the liquid; an aperture in' said first sea-ling means; means movable through said aperture and into the interior of the article, to bear on the liquid sealed therein to apply pressure to the side wall structure of said'article to testthe strength thereof; and meanstc G'mitrol the movement of the last-named means so that the desired pressure is obtained within the interior of the article.

'7. In an apparatus of the class described for testing the strength of the side wall structure of a cylindrical article having a hollow interior open at both ends, said apparatus including a reservoir filled with liquid in which said article is to be submerged, the combination of an article-supporting means pivotally mounted on said reservoir and having a means for sealing the article placed thereon; means to move said article-supporting means after the article has been sealed thereon from an article-receiving position outside the liquid into an operating position inside the liquid to submerge said article in the liquid to fill the hollow interior thereof with said liquid; a reciprocating means mounted in the reservoir; a second sealing means carried by the reciprocating means and movable thereby into engagement with the other end of the article to seal said other end of the article while the article is submerged in the liquid; an aperture in the first-named sealing means; means in alinement with the aperture and movable through and sealing said aperture, and movable into the interior of the article to bear on the liquid sealed therein to apply pressure to the side wall structure of said article to test the strength thereof; and means to control the movement of the last-named means.

8. In an apparatus of the character described for testing the strength of the side wall structure of a cylindrical article having a hollow interior open at both ends, said apparatus including a reservoir filled with liquid in which said article is to be submerged, the combination of a means, movably supported on said apparatus, normally in an article-receiving position to receive one end of the article while the article is outside the liquid; means on said movable means to seal the article against leakage of liquid, said sealing means having a central opening; means to move the movably supported means from the articlereceiving position to an operating position after the article has been sealed thereon to submerge the article in the liquid to fill the interior thereof with said liquid; means reciprocably mounted on said apparatus and located in alinement with the article after the article has been submerged in the liquid to seal the other end thereof against the leakage of liquid; means movable through said central opening in the first sealing means when it is in operating position, and into the interior of the article, to bear on the liquid sealed therein to create a pressure to test the strength of the side wall structure of said article; and means to control the movement of the lastnamed means.

9. In an apparatus of the character described for testing the strength of the side wall structure of a cylindrical article having a hollow interior open at both ends, said apparatus including a reservoir with liquid in which said article is to be submerged, the combination of means movably mounted on the apparatus to receive and seal one end of the article, said sealing means normally in an article-receiving position outside the liquid, but movable into an operating position inside the liquid, said sealing means having a central opening therein; means to guide the article onto the sealing means; means to secure the article on the guiding means; means to move the sealing means from the article-receiving position outside the liquid into the operating position in 75 side the liquid to submerge the article in the liquid to fill the hollow interior thereof after said one end has been sealed thereon; means movable in said apparatus and alined with the other end of said article when the article is submerged; operating means to move said last-named means into engagement with the other end of the article to seal the interior thereof against leakage of liquid; means reciprocably mounted on said apparatus and movable through the said central opening in the first sealing mean into the interior of the article to bear on the liquid sealed therein to apply pressure to the side wall structure of said article to test the strength thereof; and means effective when a predetermined pressure is obtained in the hollow interior of said article to reverse the movement of the bearing means.

10. In a device of the character described for testing the strength of hollow articles, said device including a reservoir filled with liquid in which said articles are to be submerged, the combination of means movably mounted in said reservoir, said means having a sealing means to receive and close one end of an article; means to move the closing means from an article-receiving position outside the liquid to an operating position inside the liquid after the article has been scaled on the closing means to submerge said article in the liquid to fill the hollow interior thereof with said liquid; means reciprocably mounted in the device to be engaged with the other end of the article, after the article has been submerged, to close said other end to seal the liquid in the hollow interior of the article; means to move the second closing means to and from closing position; means to secure the second closing means in closed position; means rendered effective jointly by the first closing means when moved to operating position, and b movement of the securing means to render the second closing means effective; a manually controlled means; eans, reciprocably mounted on said apparatus and movable through said first closing means, rendered effective jointly by the first closing means when moved to operating position, and by said manually controllable means to bear on the liquid in the interior of the article to create pressure therein to test the strength of said article; and means effective when the pressure within the hollow article reaches a predetermined amount, to reverse the action of the bearing means to release said pressure.

11. In an apparatus of the character described for testing the strength of the side wall structure of a hollow cylindrical article open at both ends, said apparatus including a reservoir filled with liquid in which the article is to be submerged, the combination of means pivotally mounted on said apparatus and out of the reservoir to receive one end of the article; sealing means on said pivotally mounted means and being normally in article-receiving position; means on the sealing means to guide the article into sealing position on said sealing means; means to clamp the article on the sealing and guiding means; air-actuated means to move the pivotally mounted means from the article-receiving position to an operating position to submerge the said article in the liquid to fill the hollow interior thereof; airactuated means reciprocably mounted on said apparatus and movable to engage and seal the other end of the article while the article is submerged; electrically operated means to control the airactuated means; manually operated means to secure the air-actuated means in sealmg position; two normally open switches to connect the electrically operated means to a source of electrical energy, the first of said switches arranged to be closed by movement of the first sealing means to operating position, and the second of said switches arranged to be closed by initial operation of the securing means, to move the airactuated sealing means to engage and seal the other end of the article to confine the liquid in the hollow interior thereof; an aperture in the first-named sealing means; an aperture in the wall of the reservoir in alinement with the aperture in the first-named sealing means; air-actuated means sealing the apertures and movable therethrough to bear on the liquid in the hollow interior of the article to create pressure to test the side Wall structure thereof; electrically operated means to control the air-actuated bearing means; means comprising a manually operable switch to initially actuate the second electrically operated means to cause the air-actuated bearing means to bear on the liquid on the hollow interior of the article; and a pressure switch operated automatically by the air for operating the bearing means when the air meets a certain resistance after the pressure in the hollow interior of the article reaches a predetermined amount, to again actuate the second electrically operated means to cause the action of the air-actuated bearing means to be reversed to thereby withdraw the air-actuated bearing means from within the interior of the article.

12. In an apparatus of the character described for testing the strength of the side wall structure of a cylindrical article having a hollow interior open at both ends, said apparatus including a reservoir filled with liquid in which said article is to be submerged, the combination of movable means, pivotally mounted in the reservoir and normally in an article-receiving position, to receive and seal one end of the article, said sealing means having a bore therein; means to move the sealing means from the article-receiving position to an operating position to submerge the article in the liquid to fill the hollow interior thereof with said liquid; means reciprocably mounted in the reservoir and movable into engagement with the other end of the article after the article is submerged to seal the other end thereof; a bore in said reservoir in alinement with said firstnamed bore; and means movable through the alined bores into the hollow interior of the article to seal said bores and to bear on the liquid sealed in said interior to create pressure to test the strength of the side wall structure of said article. 13. In an apparatus of the character described for testing the strength of the side wall structure of a cylindrical article having a hollow interior open at both ends, said apparatus including a reservoir filled with liquid in which said article is to be submerged, the combination of movable means, pivotally mounted in the reservoir and normally in an article-receivin position to receive and seal one end of the article, said sealing means having a bore therein; means to move the movable means from article-receiving position to an operating position to submerge the article in the liquid to fill the hollow interior thereof with said liquid; a reciprocably movable means mounted in said reservoir and movable into engagement with the other end of the article after the article is submerged to seal the other end thereof; a bore in said reservoirin alinement with the first-named bore; means including an air-actuated plunger movable through the bores and into the hollow interior of the article to seal said bores and to bear on the liquid in said interior to subject the side wall structure of said article to a predetermined pressure to test the strength thereof; and means controlled by the degree of air pressure required to move the plunger into the hollow interior of the article a sufficient distanc to produce the predetermined pressure to terminate the movement of said plunger. CHESTER C. SI-IERER.

JAMES M. KOONTZ. RAYMOND H. HOEFLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

